Bobert j



R. J. MACKIE 1,729,622

AUTOMATIC STARTING SWITCH Oct 1,, 1929.

Filed Aug. l7, 1925 wlmutoz f Rober? J Mack's atbozmeg Patented o... 1, 1929 PATENT OFFICE ROBERT J. MACKIE, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI AUTOMATIC STARTING SWITCH J Application filed August 17, 1925. Serial No. 50,719.

My invention relates to the starting switches of motor vehicles equipped with the usual batteries, starting motors and spark control mechanisms, and one object is to provide a starting switch which cannot be closed until the spark control mechanism is in proper starting, position, to the end that backfiring of the internal combustion engine and the damage usually resulting therefrom may be avoided.

The invention further embodies means for guarding against retardation of the manually actuated spark control lever to such extent as to cause closure of the starting switch while the internal combustion engine is in operation.

In order that the invention may be fully understood, reference will now be had to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of the switch connected to the starting motor and a portion of the spark controlling mechanism.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevation. partly in section, of the starting switch and a rod for closing the same.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged broken plan view of a sector provided with a member for checking 'the spark control lever asthe same approaches retarded position.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section on line 44 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of a checking member fixed to the sector of the spark control lever.

Fig. 6 is a diagram of the circuit in which my starting switch is installed. 4

In the drawing, A designates the spark control lever. B the rod upon the upper end of which said lever is fixedly mounted, C the sector having an upwardly proJecting notched flange c for holding the lever A in any of its adjusted positions, D the starting motoryand E the battery for furnishing current whereby the motor D is energized for the purpose of starting the internal combustion engine. As the foregoing parts are of usual construction further illustration or detailed description thereof is deemed unnecessary.

Referring now more particularly to the parts constituting the present inventlon, 2

designates the starting switch which consists of spring contacts 4 and 6, a spring member 8 lying against the contact 4 and provided at one end with an eye 10, and a block of insulation 12 to which the contacts 4 and 6 and the spring member 8 are secured by terminals 14 and 16, respectively.

18 designates a connecting rod having one end extending loosely through a tubular screw 20 which extends through the eye 10 but is insulated therefrom by fiber or other suitable washers 22 and 24 which are held against opposite sides of the eye 10 by metal washers 26 and 28, respectively. The metal washers 26 and 28 are firmlyclamped against the fiber washers 22 and 24 by the head 30 of the tubular screw 20 and a nut 32 threaded upon the opposite end of said tubular screw 20.

The opposite end of the connecting rod 18 is pivotally connected to an arm 34 clamped or otherwise firmly secured to the lower portion of the rod B.

The terminal 14 of the switch 2 is connected to a wire conductor 36 leading from the positive pole of the battery E which may have its negative pole grounded as shown by the diagram, Fig. 5.

The terminal 16 of the switch 2 is connected by a conductor 37 to one pole of the starting motor D, the opposite, pole of which may be grounded as shown.

38 designates a member secured to segment C near one end thereof by suitable means such asa screw 40. The member 38 has an up turned portion 42 terminating in an inclined upper surface 44 arranged in the path of the spark control lever A.

With the parts constructed and arranged as shown and described it is apparent that the starting switch 2 can be closed only when the spark control lever A is moved to retarded position or adjacent to the stop 0' at one end of the sector C, and hence danger of having the engine back fire by starting the motor D when the spark control lever A is in advanced position is avoided. By referring to Fig. 1, it is apparent that when the spark control lever A is moved towards retarded position it will, through the intermediacy of the rod B, swing the arm 34 to the right and thus slide the connecting rod 18 through the tubular screw 20 until the nuts 19, adjustably mounted upon said connecting rod 18, engage the nut 32, when further movement of the connecting rod 18 to the right will effect the closing of the switch 2 by forcing the contact 4 against the contact 6, which occurs just before the spark control lever A reaches the extreme retarded position. The instant the switch 2 is closed as described the circuit from the battery E to the starting motor D is completed and the motor D is accordingly energized and cranks the internal combustion engine in the well-known manner. lVhen the spark control lever A is advanced as indicated by the arrow a, Fig. 1, and the nuts 19 move to the left and out of engagement with the nut 32 the resiliency of the contact 4 and the spring member 8 immediately effect the opening of the switch 2 and thus open the circuit between the battery E and the starting motor D. The time for closing the starting switch 2 can be varied to a certain extent by adjusting the nuts 19 towards or away from the nut 28.

After the internal combustion engine has been started and the spark control lever A is advanced, the inclined surface 44 of the member 38 constitutes a guard against retarding said spark lever A sufiiciently to close the starting switch 2, as it requires some pressure to push it up the inclined surface 44 and will thus act as a reminder to the driver that the lever A is being retarded to a point where there is danger of closing the switch 2, which operation would likely result in damage to the starting mechanism of the motor D.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawing, it is apparent that I have provided a device embodying the advantages above pointed out, and whlle I have shown and described the preferred construction, combination and arrangement of parts I reserve the right to such changes and modifications as properly fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a device of the character described, a starting switch embodying two contacts one of which is adapted to be connected to a source of electrical energy and the other to the starting motor of an internal combustion engine. spring means for normally holding said switch open and provided at its free end with an eye, a rod insulated from and extending freely through said eye and connected to the spark controlling mechanism of the engine, and-means on sald rod to effect closing of the switch when the spark control lever is moved to retarded position.

2. In a device of the character described, a starting switch embodying two contacts one spark control lever.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

ROBERT J. MACKIE. 

